I work in local government in a part of Brussels called Ixelles/Elsene. What I love the most about my job is working on local cultural policy with volunteers/professionals/everyone that wants to do something original in Ixelles. The focus lies on culture in public space as this is the most accessible and affordable for most people. I like bringing people together that before did not know eachother and I believe that much good can come from making these connections: new ideas, a more diverse group of people that participate in community life, more unlocked potential.

I was born in Brussels, but raised more in its outskirts. My father is Belgian, my mother is Peruvian-Chinese. Before we finally settled in a village around Brussels we lived in the US and Bolivia, although I do not know much about this time anymore.

Other:

I like to see the beauty in small things.

I love taking pictures of what I find beautiful or intriguing and I love to share these images with others: instagram.com/maitemorren

Since two years I have a little cat and I'm very attached to her.

My friends see me as a foodie and they are so right. I like good food and drinks and it has become a recent mission of mine to become a better cook.

I like to challenge myself and to explore what is new to me.

I think we are students forever.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I discovered Couchsurfing quite recently. I am really impressed by the amount of interesting people I have met so far through Couchsurfing. I love learning from people from other cultures and countries. To look at things with a different perspective. I also find I rediscover my own city whenever a visitor arrives.

Interests

traveling, photography, literature, music, politics, local initiatives & community life, long (beach) walks & bike rides, recently started lindy hop, (craft) beer and good food

• cats
• culture
• literature
• photography
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• chocolate
• beer
• partying
• drinking
• boating
• politics
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Siddhartha (Herman Hesse) , Houtekiet (Gerard Walschap), Carol (Patricia Highsmith), Max Havelaar (Eduard Douwes Dekker), De Stille Kracht (Louis Couperus), Kartonnen Dozen (Tom Lanoye)

Movies: Todo sobre mi madre, Gattaca, Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Y tu mama tambien, Motorcycle diaries, Tieta do agreste, In the mood for love, American Beauty, La vie d'Adèle, The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy

Music: Hard to describe. From Eurosong and techno to classical and pop and rock and reggae. I have, however, consistently been a fan of Blur.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Watching the Northern Lights on various cold but beautiful winter nights in Swedish Lapland.

A roadtrip through the Balkans (Slovenia, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia). I will never forget about this region in Europe. From the kindness of the people to the ever present party mood, and its quite recent past of conflict.

A road and boat trip in the Democratic Republic of Congo: from Kinshasa through the Bas-Congo province: Kimpese, Kisantu, Nkamba, Mbanza-Ngungu, Boma, Matadi, the extremely beautiful Mangroves National Park, the beach in Muanda.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love giving people a tour of my favourite spots in Brussels. And I have a pretty clear view on what is going on in town.

I can share my home when I have found a new one (in September)

If you like cats you can share in the fun of having mine around!

I can certainly give advice on the organisation of cultural events and election campaigns.

What I Can Share with Hosts

The chocolate/beer I will bring from Belgium.

Some stories...on many topics.

My curiosity :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Belgium, Bolivia, United Kingdom, United States